Have you ever noticed how everything seems to happen on the same weekend? For a while, Champaign-Urbana seems to be not that exciting, the weather is grey, there are no fun holidays….then, ta-dah! Everything is suddenly exciting again!
You may have heard of Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day. Many have heard of it, but don’t know what it is. Don’t be fooled, “Unofficial” is simply a drinking holiday, having nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day, which is on March 17 every year. “Unofficial” was started by bars offering drink specials on a designated weekend when students would be in town, as March 17 often fell on spring break. Young students often make fools of themselves by getting rip-roaring drunk and causing disruption wherever they go, simultaneously attracting the attention of the police and the scorn of the community. Unofficial is this weekend, so be careful.
If you don’t want to be under the influence of consumerism and poor taste, the good news is there are TONS of other things going on this weekend that I would personally find INFINITELY more interesting than drinking myself into a stupor, and they’re actually less expensive than buying drinks. Here’s a short list:
The Greek Film Festival—the first in Champaign-Urbana! More info at:
http://www.moderngreek.illinois.edu/events/filmfestival/
Worldfest 2012 at Spurlock Museum (scroll down on the calendar)
http://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/education/calendar/calendar.php#event-619
The Affordable Art Show (two of my friends are involved!) if you love art at reasonable prices
https://www.facebook.com/events/274119445990708/
And, here’s a more complete list, found on Champaign-Urbana’s online magazine, Smile Politely:
http://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/weekender_march_2_-_4/
Have fun, and be safe!!!
